Savvy Sheep

Journeying

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:11:00 +0000

Early in the morning, you might feel like a fish out of water when you climb out of those warm, soft covers into the cool morning air. You might be reluctant to move, even though you realize you must get up and face the day.

Similarly, sometimes, even though you know that God is calling you to move forward on something in your life, you may feel reluctant to climb out from between those "covers" of familiarity and habit and face that new challenge. It's even worse when you think there might be a real risk, or a real danger, involved in taking that step.

I'm talking about where I am, I suppose, but I'm sharing this because I believe many of my readers are also facing major changes in their lives right now. A handful of people in my immediate circle of friends are currently in the midst of big moves--career moves, address changes, etc. Meanwhile, I've been "spring cleaning" my life for over a month, now, and I feel some major changes in my own career are coming soon. In fact, these are changes I've been needing for quite some time.

But you know, even the change I need and have prayed for still scares me sometimes. It's not the new horizon as much as the journey to that new horizon. Things move so suddenly, when they move, and you never quite feel you have prepared for them enough.

I believe that the "journey" times in our lives are periods of a special kind of testing, to see how well and how faithfully we follow, and to teach us (again) that we can travel without the proverbial "kitchen sink" and still make it there alright. If God is moving us, He will provide the essentials we need along the way, and prove to us that we don't need anything more than what He generously gives us (Deuteronomy 8:3). Furthermore, He will take us to a "spacious place" (2 Samuel 22: 20), shielding and protecting us along the way, and establishing us with a special wall of protection when we get there (Psalm 91).

I don't want to drag my feet and complain like the Israelites in the desert, longing for the old familiar tastes of leeks and melons on the shores of the Nile (Numbers 11: 4-6). It is much better, by far, to eat the milk and honey God has prepared at the end of the journey! The old things left behind pale in comparison to what God has planned (Isaiah 43: 18-21). It is also important to remember that what I get along the way is more than I could have ever thought to ask for (Matthew 7: 9-11). I'm well-cared for, whether I'm coming or going, and God is looking out for me.

That "fear of the unknown" that scares us at the beginning of change can be combated with "trust in the known," which is the Lord and His provision. He is faithful. If you're "journeying" right now in your life, don't forget to trust the God who arranged the journey.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go," (Joshua 1: 9).

A (Controversial) Perspective on Using Your Talents for God

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:58:00 +0000

I believe in using my talents for God's service. This is a common theme in a lot of today's church discourse, and I don't disagree with that. However, I'm going to say something controversial, here. Often times, the church is wrong about what individual Christians should be doing in God's service.

Obviously, it is not wrong to try to help people or be charitable. It is good to do so. We hear genuine needs every day, and we should care. We are heartless if we don't.

Still, there is a cookie-cutter mentality that has lapped over into the Christian world that has no place among us.

To begin with, there are people who have been told that they should help out at the soup kitchen, or build houses for people, or contribute large sums to their local charities, or go out as missionaries to the far corners of the world. Unfortunately, they are the kind who can burn boiling water or who can't talk to strangers; they are flabby or uncoordinated, causing them to get hurt when they try to lift a hammer or a heavy board; they are barely middle class themselves, so they don't have much to contribute financially each month; and they are frightened and unequipped for the mission field. Should they feel guilty? Are they bad Christians because they are bad at all the typical "Christian" things to do?

I don't believe so. I know there are readers who will say, "Don't make excuses," and I'm not intending to. I am just saying that to make my first point: Everyone is talented at something, but not everyone is talented at everything; therefore, everyone should use their talents for God, but since everyone's talents are so varied, they should not all be doing the same things.

Rather than feeling guilty on some level for their failure to measure up to other people's abilities, Christians out there should be considering how their own God-given abilities could best be used. The Bible compares a church congregation to a body, where each person works as a part, keeping the whole body healthy, and with each part being necessary and placed there for a reason (1 Corinthians 12: 12-27). Perhaps there are talented individuals out there who have not yet realized that they, too are necessary, even though they haven't found their "niche" to serve quite yet. They may not realize that they are created by God for a purpose, perhaps to put "Christian engineering" or "Christian salesman" or "Christian deliveryman" on the map as a new way to serve God while showing His love to our fellow man--doing jobs that no one else could do as effectively. Maybe they are the only ones in the whole world who can do the job. They will never know, if they keep comparing themselves to others.

That brings me to another point I wanted to make: Christians shouldn't use the oddness or obscurity of their talents as an excuse to downplay them or refuse to use them. A person's penchant for armpit orchestra could break the ice with a few laughs, opening doors to share his or her testimony with an audience; a talent for origami could help cheer up an elderly person or a sick child in the hospital; life experience as a parent could help a Christian man or woman mentor a struggling single mom at church or a young man who is trying to get his life back on track. God can use any talent, since He made every person and saw in advance what each could do (Ephesians 2: 10), but God cannot use a talent if the talent holder knows better than Him what other people need.

Bloom Where God Plants You...

This leads into my last point: Where Christians are is where God can use them best. Take Christian students, for instance. While they can reach out to the homeless in their towns, they might be best suited to reach out to their fellow students. The workers at the local shelters cannot attend classes and live in the dorms, eat at the school cafeterias, or gather at places where the other students hang out. If all of the Christian students feel they can only serve by working at the shelter, there may be thousands of young people who don't benefit from the help God sent Christian students to do on campus. God has placed each person where they are, for a purpose they alone may be able to fulfill (Esther 4: 14), so when the time comes, they had better be there to minister to the need that is there.

I'm sure there is more to be said on this subject, and I invite readers to add their comments to the discussion. How best would you advise Christians to use their talents for God? Are there any more Scriptural guidelines I have failed to mention?

A Heartbeat from Eternity

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:38:00 +0000

No one likes to think about their own mortality, but today, I suppose I am. I don't want to be morbid or anything like that, but I am glad I am "ready." Do you know what I mean?

Today, on the way to the post office to drop off some packages, the traffic light changed, signaling that it was time for me to turn left. In the split second between my foot leaving the brake pedal and

my toe landing on the accelerator, a large SUV ran a red light to turn across my path, inches away from my bumper. The driver was going so fast, he must have taken the turn on two wheels. All I could think was, "That was close!"

And then, there was yesterday, when I got news that a business connection I've made, a woman I was only just getting to know, had a massive heart attack and has been hospitalized in a medically-induced coma. She was having dinner with her husband when it happened. They were just two days away from leaving on a cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. I hope that she can pull through this, but the prognosis is not good right now.

That grim news made me think of a professor who passed away when I was in college. He was a very active man, heading the Honors program and also leading the music department. He ran every day and did lots of charity work. He even liked to collect and refurbish old pianos that he donated to the university. In fact, he was helping his son guide one of those pianos on a wheeled dolly when he collapsed suddenly from a fatal heart-attack. Above all else, he was a kind, generous man, and as far as I knew him, a Christian. Even students who weren't enrolled in his classes felt his absence.

It seems to me that death, just like life, can happen when we've been "making other plans." It usually comes more suddenly than the people around us would have expected it; in fact, it seems to even sneak up on its victims. This is why it is necessary to think about it and make plans for our lives with death in mind.

We should use the talents that God gave us in the time allotted to us, instead of wasting our time sowing wild oats and worrying over things that aren't important. We shouldn't just look at this messed-up life, either. We should look beyond it, toward eternity. It's important to die God's friend and not His sworn enemy, because there won't be more chances to change that, later. This is what I mean by being "ready."

Are you ready to meet God, if you had to do that today? If you're not, I would say it is time to think about it. It's not being morbid, either. It's a dangerous world out there, and circumstances can change in a minute. We see it on the news every day, unfortunately. Don't let eternity sneak up on you.

Because time may be short, here's the short and simple way to get your heart right with God:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10: 9, 10 NIV)

If you need more explanations, I talked a little more about the why and the how of getting your heart right with God here and here, and there are plenty more if you explore my old posts.

I would love to hear from you, so if you have anything to add, you're welcome to leave me a comment. I read every one and share almost every one (I only delete the ones from spammers).

Healing for the Harried

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:38:00 +0000

Only a few hours after I wrote last Monday's blog post, word reached my ears that someone had blown up two bombs that hurt and killed a lot of people in Boston. After praying for those people for awhile, I remembered the blog post I had written, and I thought about changing the message somehow.

In the end, I decided to leave it as it is. I still believe that each day is a gift from God, and it is not insensitive to remind readers of that.

The past week was full of episodes reminding me that bad people have made it their business to wreck that gift, turning what started out good into some kind of a nightmare. It seems to me that over the last week, a lot of people have been robbed of truth, humility, hope, peace, and love. Sometimes this is because they robbed themselves by denying the way God intended them to live; sometimes this is because other people denied God and robbed them. Either way, this week has been a parade of tragedies.

Worse than that, this week has been a parade of people trying to comfort themselves after tragedy, but mostly going about it the wrong way. As many may have discovered by now, it is impossible to chase away the pain and hollowness tragedy brings with controlled substances or curse words or politically correct talk or inspiring quotes about the resiliency of the human spirit (you have probably read the news headlines on these topics by now). Catching the bombers wasn't quite enough to heal all the wounds those men have inflicted. There are still many, many people who are forever changed by the tragedies that have filled this week. People are hurting; they feel hunted by trouble, and they need answers.

What People Need Right Now

I find the answers that commentators on television have been offering have been empty, and I'm weary of their talk, as I know most people are, including the people talking. At the heart of the matter, no one can offer any real words of comfort other than Jesus Christ. What people need is the Restorer of all their fortunes--the Maker of the real truth, the real humility, the real hope, the real peace, and the real love that they are seeking.

Truth...

To start with, there is no other truth that can truly set people free except the truth that Jesus has made a way out of this vicious cycle of rebellion, wrongdoing, pain, and punishment. All other religions have left the monumental task of saving themselves to individuals who are too small to do it.

Humility...

Naturally following that first point, there is no other humility except that which accepts the power of God and the line between right and wrong that He has drawn. All the other gods and religions make people the inventors of right and wrong, raising them up like gods over others, and they call that humility. But you know what? People know humility when they see it.

Hope...

The victims of these demi-gods fear that all hope and a future is cut off from them, but there is still one hope in Christ that is founded on His justice and mercy, and is therefore beyond the reach of the victimizer--because He is above them, too. Christ's justice and mercy is something both the godly and the ungodly know--the godly because they are blessed by it and the ungodly because they are chastised by it. Jesus has given everyone a chance to get justice, and He has offered everyone a way to escape the sentence that rebellion has brought. Hope is redemption and eternal life through Christ's death on the cross! All other gods and religions would have us earn hope, but Christ gives it away freely to anyone who would have Him!


One of God's tender creatures, resting in my back yard.

Peace...

A step beyond hope is peace and safety--a thing that the cruel are always denying others. Christ gives those who have trusted in Him that peace in the midst of troubles, and has promised a lasting peace (a rest, He calls it) in Heaven with Him at the end of everything. A lot of other religions claim peace, but only at great cost--peace brought about by hurting and oppressing others or sacrificing ourselves. What a small and insecure peace that is, by comparison!

Love...

That brings me to my final point. Love needs to be secure to be meaningful, and its very nature testifies that it is not meant to be something that is earned. Christ alone gives us that kind of eternal love that isn't fickle, even when the objects of that love are continually fickle. The religions of the world preach plenty of love, but they don't love murderers and other evildoers, or anyone who disagrees with them or resists them. They say that loving such people is weakness. Christ preaches that it is strength; in fact, love is the first step toward healing and strengthening what was broken.

In Conclusion

What people do not need is a political savior, or inspiring talk of the human spirit, or the empty promises of so many false and weak religions. They need stability, and they need to feel secure. They need what Christ and His message has offered: They need an end of pain and despair, and the beginning of promises that last and bring comfort. They need healing right away.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV

I know there are cynics out there. They will scoff at Christ and everything I've written and say that it's simply not that easy, or the way to these things can be achieved through many paths. I guess I wasn't writing to convince those cynics. I'd rather reach out to those readers who are desperately tired of all the alternatives; tired of feeling spiritually dried up and empty because of everything they are seeing. I'm writing for those who are ready to seek Christ and be healed.

For those who have reached this point, here is a simple (and perhaps not too eloquent) prayer to start readers on the journey of knowing Christ: "Dear God, I want to know You, and be comforted by You, because I can't take any more of this bad news on my own. I want to know Your ways, and I want to live the way You would have me live. From now on, I want Your truth, I want Your humility, I want Your hope, I want Your peace, and I want Your love in my life. I know that You have heard me, and because I have asked in the name of Your Son, Jesus, I know that You will grant my request. Amen."

For those who already know Christ, but who have been blindsided by tragedy this week, I hope reading this post has brought you back to the roots of your faith. Remember the promises that you have in Christ--that He is the Lord of truth (John 14:6), the Demonstrator of true humility (Philippians 2:8), the Foundation of our hope (Romans 5: 1,2) the Securer of our peace (Ephesians 2: 13-16) and the first and perfect Example of love (John 15:13). If you're struggling, this post should remind you to go back to Him and ask for the comfort you need. He is there, and He has offered no hollow words--Jesus has shown that He cares by all of the things He has already done. He will rescue you again if you Seek Him!

Blessed to Be "Cursed"

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:19:00 +0000

Ah, it's tax day again in the United States, and a lot of people are feeling down about it today. I will admit, I was not too happy to discover that, even though my small "side income" business made less than poverty wages last year, I still owed a big chunk of it to the government.

It doesn't seem fair, and I could complain, but today, I'm choosing to be positive. After all, I could have made no money at all. The fact that I had taxes to pay on income was a privilege, really, compared to much of the rest of the world, including many neighboring countries in the Northern and Western hemispheres. I got to pay taxes out of money I made, doing work I love. I could complain, but I'm rich. I am blessed. There are many others in this world who can only dream of such things.

When my city shut off the water supply for maintenance this morning--during my shower--I thought about calling it insult added to injury, but I think I'd better laugh it off instead. No real harm was done, and the water was turned back on less than an hour later. It makes me think of my parents' experiences on a missions trip to Jamaica years ago. They learned first-hand why people keep buckets of water in their showers there. The public water only runs for about one predawn hour every day, and when it's gone, your shower better be over! Compared to that daily hardship, I am blessed. Some people never even see running water in their lifetimes!

The fact of the matter is that life can be stressful, maddening, and distastefully ill-timed, but it is still good. In fact, even at its worst, I realize that most of my readers, like me, have it better than their peers. Before you or I start talking like today is cursed, we should remember how much we've been blessed--and be thankful. We should remember what the Psalmist wrote:

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118: 24 ESV)

Let's do that. Let's rejoice. Let's give thanks to God for all of His many blessings. Let's stop to remember them! What's good about tax day? To start with, everything...

Modeling Leadership Like Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:48:00 +0000

Years ago, I read a book about how to lead like Jesus. I don't remember all the points the book made, but one principle that stuck with me was the author's assertion that a good leader never asks followers to do something he wouldn't do.

When we apply that to the life of Jesus Christ here on Earth, it's striking. Jesus commanded us to serve others, and He modeled that by washing His disciples' feet (John 13: 12-17). Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, and He modeled that by loving people like Judas, who ate with Him. Jesus commanded us to pray, and He did that often, both publicly and privately (John 11: 38-44; Matthew 26: 36-41). Jesus commanded us to leave behind even our homes and families, if necessary, to obey God (Matthew 8: 18-22), and He did that very thing to accomplish His Father's purposes at the cross. Speaking of crosses, Jesus commanded us to give our whole selves to God, to the death if necessary (Luke 9: 23, 24)--but He did that first.

So today, I'm asking if you are leading like Jesus did, in your own life. Are you asking your spouse, children, friends, coworkers, or even strangers to do what you wouldn't do? Have you asked them to go where you wouldn't go? If so, have you thought about changing things?

I know we all fail and fall short of perfection, but that is no excuse for a failure to try. Jesus modeled what was right while He walked among us to demonstrate that it is possible for a man (or woman) to do these things. Furthermore, Jesus modeled leadership for us to prove that He is going ahead of us to strengthen us when we are weak and afraid, just as God led Moses in the desert with pillars of fire and cloud (Exodus 13: 21-22).

God is calling us to let Him lead us, even as we lead others. Let's follow in His footsteps.

Two Kinds of Fools...

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:41:00 +0000

Today is April Fools Day, a day that is traditionally celebrated in the western world by playing pranks on other people. I didn't have any pranks for you today, but I thought I'd pop over to share what the Bible says about fools. It seems there are two kinds of fools:

The fools who earn the wrath of God...

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good," ( Psalm 14:1 NIV).

"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm," (Proverbs 1: 32, 33 NIV)

The fools who fall upon the mercy of God...

"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice," (Proverbs 12: 15 NIV).

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God," (1 Corinthians 1: 18 NIV).

"Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe," (1 Corinthians 1: 20, 21 NIV).

I do hope you are the latter and not the former today. This is serious stuff--no prank at all. It's time to seek out this "foolishness of God" and find rest for your soul--it is a ridiculously simple answer to life's toughest question. God will not mock you, but He will not be mocked. Take it to heart!

The Dreadful 5 Steps of Social Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:12:00 +0000

Over the past week I've heard news of almost constant attacks against what I would call foundational beliefs in American society, ranging from religious teachings to political schools of thought, pushing always toward a more liberal, inclusive viewpoint. To be more specific, there is a constant push toward a perspective that does not make Christ the only way to Heaven, or the judge of sin, or the guide for our lifestyles. This is hardly shocking news. What is shocking is how successful many of these campaigns have been, lately.

I find myself asking, over and over again, how a supposedly Christian nation can welcome in these changes and usher out the centrality of Christ. Clearly some people call themselves by a name they don't believe in, but I think there are many others who do care about Christ, but they have become too wrapped up in the stress of their personal lives to watch what is going on around them. One day, they will be rudely awakened to a landscape they didn't see coming, even though the signs were all there.

How does this happen? What makes people miss the obvious, and what can bring about a massive directional shift in an entire nation's thinking? It certainly doesn't happen suddenly or by chance.

I've spent the last few months slowly re-reading the Old Testament, getting a feel for history and the rise and fall of ancient societies. It seems the erosion of social values almost always happens through the same process: peer pressure, desensitization, compromise, division/marginalization, and intimidation. These come in overlapping waves, intensifying until the conclusion of the matter.

Peer Pressure

Adult peer pressure (as opposed to the grade school variety), occurs when a respected or powerful person in society chooses to live a certain way and others copy this person in hopes of becoming prestigious as well.

August Landmesser, the Man in the Crowd

I call this the first step because not everyone wants to be like this celebrity or take his advice at the beginning of a social movement. Some of the more resistant people will reject that lifestyle as odd, immoral, or nontraditional. That's okay for the one who started it; as long as more than one social leader adopts this new thinking, the movement will stand.

Example: "So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, 'You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.'
But when they said, 'Give us a king to lead us,' this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: 'Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. They have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.'" (1 Samuel 8: 4-9 NIV)

Desensitization

In college I learned about desensitization techniques in psychology and science class. You're probably familiar with booster vaccinations, for instance, but this has also been done to help animals overcome their fear of guns in a war zone or even to help people with peanut allergies overcome the serious reactions they are experiencing. The principle is always the same, regardless of the application. Frequent, prolonged exposure to something lessens the response to that stimulus over time.

Pushing the Envelope. Image source here

News media, Hollywood, school curriculum, popular fiction, pedestrian traffic on a public street, and more can all work on the same principle to desensitize resistors to things that would normally upset them or move them to action. It doesn't convert objectors as much as it silences their protests over time, draining their stamina until what was once a fringe idea has made quiet inroads into their thinking.

Example: "In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there." (2 Kings 14: 1-4 NIV)

Division/Marginalization

Eventually, a growing movement will get enough traction to become a "counter culture," drawing in a sizable amount of the population, although still not a majority of people. In order to keep that growth happening, it will have to put pressure on the old guard to get recognition as a legitimate sector of the society. That takes a lot of "us versus them" rhetoric, especially phrased in such a way that the old guard's lifestyle now appears unreasonable, stodgy, or even hateful toward the new group.

Example: "Jeroboam thought to himself, 'The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.'

After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, 'It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.' One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other." (1 Kings 12: 26-29 NIV)

Compromise

As the new social movement actively gains traction as a legitimate alternate society, it engages the "resistors," convincing them that they have to negotiate because they cannot defeat the new thinking in open confrontation.

This is always a dangerous time in a society, because it has finally come to a crossroads in terms of culture and even religion, where society must choose who to follow and what to believe. Fearful of the strident rhetoric of then new counter-culture, frequently the old guard give way, first to things they didn't think were so important, and then gradually concerning the things closest to their hearts. It is a waiting game, really, as long as the older culture continues to back away from its core beliefs, until the new culture can overtake it completely. At the root of it, once compromise begins, the revolution has already begun in earnest.

Example: "Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.'
Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.'
'Get out of our way,' they replied. 'This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.' They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.
But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door." (Genesis 19: 4-10 NIV)

Intimidation

"Tank Man," Tianamen Square, 1989

Once the counter-culture has gained the upper-hand in terms of numbers or voice in a society, it moves from negotiation to outright intimidation of the old culture, marginalizing what used to be mainstream. Oh, the dreadful awakening, for those who were silent until this point! There is not much left to do but resist or flee, and to resist is to lose. Many retreat into themselves, holding onto their beliefs in their hearts but mostly not expressing them in public, for fear of repression.

Example: The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”
But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”
When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or not?”
“Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”
The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”
Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?” ...
The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”
Micaiah declared, "If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!"(1 Kings 22: 13-18; 26-28 NIV)

In Conclusion

Sometimes the counter-culture brings something positive to a culture asleep in its old bad habits. For instance, the anti-slavery movement and the Protestant Reformation brought increased freedom the old culture had denied. It isn't movements like this one that I'm really concerned about. What they brought was an increased awareness of the justice and truth the Lord had originally taught.

I am seeing that we are at the last crossroads in Western culture on a number of issues, particularly this year, perhaps even this week. Christianity as we know it has lost ground through peer pressure, desensitization, division, and compromise, and unless something changes radically, we are facing the last stage of this social revolution--and it won't be going anywhere good. Can you see the signs?

Is there still time to come back from the brink? Of course, there always is, but there is only one way to heal what is wrong with society in a way that brings justice and mercy and sweeps away the destruction of sin. It is the message of Jesus Christ spoken to a broken heart. Unless that message is spoken, unless someone hears, and unless someone listens, things will continue as they have until the time of their completion.

This is a call to all Christians, whether they are part of the United States or praying in a house church under one of the most oppressive regimes on earth: Let us not sleep, but rather, let us stand with Jesus. We should be praying, not worrying. We should be teaching our children what is right when they are home with us. We should recall the power of the God we serve, instead of trembling at the power of the crowd. We should be speaking what we believe, openly but not maliciously, when called upon to speak. And most importantly, we should be seeking God and knowing Him, so that He can help us to live according to His teaching and use us to minister to the world.

Centering In

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:35:00 +0000

My thoughts today feel rather scattered as I settle down to write this post. I find it easy today to get bogged down in what I "feel like" and lose sight of what I am, and who God is. I don't want to be ruled by feelings today.

So, let me guide my thoughts back to basics.

First, who is God?

God is the creator of everything, the all-powerful ruler of the whole universe and everything in it. He is real, whether we "feel" Him or not. He is in control, whether we see that in a sunset or in a hospital room. More than that, He is good, and kind. He isn't some sightless force or fearsome dictator. If we look long enough at the world around us, at the sunshine and the birds singing, at the rain and even the rise and fall of a baby's chest while sleeping, we can see the great goodness and kindness of God in the things He has made. He is not like any Creator we could make up. His goodness is beyond our imagination and ability. We can even see that great, unmerited kindness shining through the cracks in the dark pall mankind has pulled over the world, if we keep looking. I say this, lest my readers forget to look.

Who, then, is Christ?

Jesus Christ is the priceless gift of a kind God to an ungrateful world. He is the logical extension of that great love and kindness we see in all the good things we had already received before He came. He is proof, in the flesh, that a God who could be so kind as to bless us with things like sunshine, singing birds, the rain, and little children, would care that we saw justice for our wrongs, and mercy for our wrongdoings. We can't make something like this up, but if we've ever known heartache, then we've known how badly we need the gift that Jesus brings. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted," (Matthew 5: 4 NIV), Jesus said, and we can take that as a promise. It is my prayer that all of my readers will come to know the goodness of that promise.

Who, then, are we?

We are God's creation, the work of His hand and the most important thing that He made--whether we feel it or not. We are important because He made us important, and because He gave us value in His heart, before the foundation of the world was set. We are not important because of the importance we give ourselves, or that which others give to us. Some people willfully blind themselves to the kindnesses of God that He speaks through creation; some people deafen themselves in an attempt to block out the message that God has spoken through Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, in their desperate attempts to cast God out, they are only casting themselves out of His presence. They starve to death needlessly, like a famished beggar who won't take food that is offered to him. Who are we, except the sheep of God's pasture, which He made to know, and to be known by Him? How blessed are we, that we are given the opportunity to live by blessings we never had to earn! I pray that all of my readers truly know God, and if not, that they will turn now and seek Him out.

How, then, should we feel?

Satan distracts us with feelings, and he would rule us by them, if he could. Let us not forget the realities of God--His eternal kindness, the mercy that He proved through Jesus Christ, and the value that He gives to each one of us as He tries to draw us to Him. If we remember these things, we don't have to hold on to those feelings of stress, worry, distraction, sadness, and boredom. Certainly, those feelings can and will come, but when they do, those who know God can take a deep breath and say this about their own lives: "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day," (Proverbs 4:18 NIV). Those feelings pass away like the morning dew, but the light of God never goes out.

The Silent Spread of the Gospel

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:17:00 +0000

I really like stories about spies who snuck the truth past barriers, utilizing a lot of creativity and braving danger at every turn. Last night, as I was reading yet another spy thriller type novel, I found myself thinking about how the Gospel has often come through the same methods to reach new ears.

Christianity rarely comes into a society through the front doors--that is, through the news media and government leaders--because these groups don't know what to do with it. The people at the bottom of society do understand it and feel the need for it, because they have no other hope.

They may find themselves at the bottom because they are female, or poor, of the "wrong" heritage, or some other superficial reason. Though this "bottom rung" of society may never see their base social status change in their lifetimes, the Bible offers them something new. It has a subversive, stronghold-shattering secret. They are valued by God, loved by God, and can be redeemed by God, even if the powers-that-be decree that it cannot be so. No political or even educational power has ever achieved full mastery of the human heart. What the heart needs, only a real, loving God can fully provide.

Lately in the news I've been reading that many governments have been cracking down hard on foreign missionaries to their countries and Christian communities in their borders, especially since the "Arab Spring" and other events that have been happening worldwide. Persecution has picked up a little in my part of the world, as well. Of course, it isn't nearly as bold or high-stakes as elsewhere, but it has intensified. At the very least, prepare to be mocked and ostracized for beliefs once widely accepted. Occasionally Christians in the "free world" are the victims of religiously-motivated serious crimes.

What can I say to all of this anti-Christian paranoia? Only that Christianity is truly a religion of hope, but also one of desperation. People who are not desperate for God, who have all the answers, and who are confident in their own choices and secure in their own lifestyle do not feel a need for God. They aren't going to be ready or open to the hard truths contained in the Bible. On the other hand, those who are brought low and are confronted with their own mortality are more likely to listen, and more likely to be impressed by those who stand by their faith despite the risks. This is why Christianity spreads more quickly during times of oppressive regimes and persecution (see Acts 8: 1-4).

The underground, behind-the-scenes spread of Christianity is an example of God turning something bad into something good, although we can't forget that it is still bad to begin with. There may be lots of underground, secret revivals going on behind the scenes in the dark places of the world right now, but the fact that they have to hide only underscores the need for Christians everywhere to pray for those undergoing persecution.

We would happily praise the efforts of spies who quietly subvert evil political regimes and avert war, but we should support even more those people who face trouble of a more personal kind so that the message of hope can spread--the message about how Christ came to save us, and how He succeeded. Witnessing to one's own countrymen is a bigger job with higher stakes than any political spy job.

We need to petition God on behalf of persecuted Christians for spiritual gifts they might have forgotten to ask for in their time of need, such as steadfastness, hope, and faith, so they can be blessed and strengthened to endure whatever they are facing today. We need to ask God, like Abraham did, to spare those who are faithful to Him when He goes out to punish evil (Genesis 18: 20-33). We also need to ask that God frustrate and punish evil plans so that justice and peace can prosper in the land, instead of fear and cruelty, and people can come to know the Lord who brings peace (Proverbs 29: 2; Proverbs 11: 10, 11). We have God's ear, but He is calling us to have His heart of compassion. Will we pray, and if called, will we go?

Putting Work at the Feet of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:43:00 +0000

When I sat down to write this blog, I was confronted with the realization that I've got a problem with overworking today. Every time I started to concentrate on what I was going to write, I found myself thinking about other work I need to do today. I mean, of course I need to be dedicated to my job, because otherwise, I won't be able to cover my bills, and that just isn't good. Still, why this compulsion to open five tabs in the browser or tweet when it's supposed to be a scheduled time for contemplation with God? Can't I take a break for five minutes? What's the matter with me?

Part of this, when I force myself to close those browser tabs and really think about it, is pure habit. On the other hand, part of this, I think, is born of some of Satan's lies. If I stop working, I might be "lazy," or perhaps "abandoning my duty," or "proving a failure who doesn't know when to work and when to quit." Satan would have me feeling guilty for sleeping or taking enough time for a meal. He would make me feel unsatisfied with any reward I might have gotten out of a job well-done. Ultimately, he'd like to see me broken down, worn out, depressed, and ineffective for the Lord. He couldn't just cut to that ending, so he has to start with guilt.

I am a freelancer for a living. I know there may be a lot of freelancers out there reading this and nodding their heads. However, freelancers aren't the only ones dealing with the "guilt of work." Whether you work a regular 9-5 office job, do physical labor outdoors, or corral toddlers all day, you have probably found yourself doing work out of guilt or some kind of compulsion, even when it's time to do something else (like maybe, sleep). I might be describing you if:

You frequently interrupt bedtime prayer mid-sentence to add to a grocery or to-do list.
You can't seem to get into a conversation because you keep checking your phone for updates.
Watching movies in the movie theater with friends or family make you feel fidgety, because you have to turn off your phone and abandon your computer for a whole hour and a half to two hours.
When you are home watching television or doing something with your family, you feel nervous, as if you "should really be doing something."
It is hard to sit down and lose yourself in a fictional book or hobby. If it's not nonfiction, you feel that it should be. If it isn't "good for your career" or potentially going to make money, it isn't worth the time.
You suddenly solve the answer to a problem you've been having at work when the pastor is still preaching.

There are more situations like these, and I could go on listing them, but I think you get the idea.

Other people value us by the money we earn or the tasks we complete, but it seems God measures our time by our spiritual development, according to His purposes. He would like us to see work as good for a few things, not our source of meaning. He certainly doesn't want our "work guilt" from any source to keep us from coming to Him (Matthew 11: 28-29). He wants us to see our work for what it really is (important, but not spiritually essential), so we can come and rest at His feet (Luke 10: 38-42).

It comes down to a confrontation with those guilty feelings that keep egging us on without a rest. We need to face the fact that we can't hold up the world on our shoulders, and purposefully, actively give it to God. That might mean literally ceasing to work for a few minutes while we focus on God, like Martha's sister Mary did, just to prove to ourselves that the world won't end if we do. Alternatively, if stopping is not an option at that moment, it might mean confessing those guilty feelings to God and asking Him to remind us of how He values us, so that we can keep working with a healthier attitude about it.

Here's a question for my readers out there. How do you cope with "work guilt"? Any tips you could share? Good ones will go into a follow-up blog on this subject.

A Changed Life Testimony Begins in the Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:46:00 +0000

At once [Saul, later called Paul] began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God [following his conversion]. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. --Acts 9: 20-22 NIV

It is normal for people to look for patterns in past behavior to try to predict future behavior, and a good part of that analysis goes into trying to understand other people's intent. The past few weeks have been a parade of examples of this system breaking down, and so today I wanted to talk about a rather delicate subject called "life testimony" for new Christians.

I'm not talking about the story of your conversion, which you might share in a church setting, or among friends. I'm talking about the things you say and do every day, and what they imply to unsympathetic onlookers. Your words need to express the intention of your heart, and your actions need to follow through, or else your observers will doubt your claims that your life has changed. As the Bible cautions, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold," (Proverbs 22: 1 NIV).

This is an especially important lesson for new Christians, because they often have a negative history of words and deeds to overcome. How can an individual's "bad reputation" be sanctified and purified after that person begins to follow Christ?

Saul: Ex-murderer, New Evangelist?

In the weeks, months, and possibly years immediately after Saul's conversion, Christians and Jewish non-Christians were skeptical of him, to say the least. Only a short time before, he had acquired a reputation for hunting down, imprisoning, and murdering Christians. He even acted as the legal witness at the first Christian martyrdom, the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7: 58 ; 8: 1).

It's no wonder, then, that Saul, later called Paul, would spend a lot of his time proving his intentions at the beginning of his ministry. The leaders of the early church hesitated to acknowledge him and even questioned his conversion (Acts 9: 26). They were afraid of him!

Eventually, though, they got over their fear and accepted Saul. A big part of that came from the friendship and support of a man the believers had nicknamed "Barnabas." But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Before Saul/Paul had really been established as a Christian (while there were still "rough edges" as we might say), he changed dramatically. Instead of trying to prove why Christianity was wrong using might, he was trying to prove it right by using every bit of the rhetoric and education he had available. Instead of being an outspoken critic of Jesus, word spread quickly through the synagogues (the Jewish meeting houses) that he was talking highly of Jesus. He went from having the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high counsel) and all the Jewish leaders and scholars on his side, to having them hunt him to kill him, escaping narrowly with his life (Acts 9: 22-25).

I think it was this level of life-and-death commitment to his faith, together with some guidance from God, that convinced Barnabas and the early Christians to accept their former enemy.

To Modern-Day Sauls

To those of you who are new Christians with a lot of negative reputation to overcome, I can say that Saul (aka Paul) charted the way for you. It is possible to gain a new reputation as a Christian that overshadows everything in the past.

This comes from a total break with the past bad habits. Paul let his new intentions be known to all, and then he followed through with action. This wasn't a superficial change, meant to manipulate people, but rather a heart change that was coming out in the way he spoke and behaved.

Paul couldn't have followed a Savior he didn't love, and he certainly couldn't have sacrificed friendships and potentially his own life to follow a cause he didn't believe in. Paul loved Jesus and he wanted to be more like Jesus, who he had made Lord of his life. Because of this love, Paul wanted to please his Savior instead of hurting Him by persisting in all the things that made Christ's sacrifice necessary. He wanted to honor the wishes of the God he had put in charge of his life. Without this deep love as a motive, Paul could not have changed.

When we recognize the love of our Savior, we cannot help but love Him back, and His love begins to change us. His very goodness makes us reconsider our priorities and analyze our motives, through the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes us want to be honorable, as a way of showing our respect and admiration for our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit shows us what changes need to happen. This change is almost like a heart transplant, it is so dramatic in its effects (Ezekiel 36: 25-27). It is only logical that these changes in our hearts and thinking (Romans 12: 2) come out in our words and actions. How can our hearts believe one thing and our mouths say we believe another?

Let me emphasize again that it is not possible to change our behavior or reputation in this way simply because we just want to be accepted among Christians or get a "rep" for being a good person. At least, with such shallow motives for change, the transformation won't last. We can only change in a permanent way because we know God and love Him, and because He has transformed our hearts. Other people only come into this picture as a side-effect or afterthought.

So, today, if you are wanting a new, redeemed life testimony, know that it begins with a love for your Savior that lets Jesus move in and change you. When He tells you to change, take His advice, and when He moves you to speak or act according to His pattern for your life, obey Him. Then watch the old reputation fall away like a bad memory.

Because God Said So

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:35:00 +0000

When I was small, some of the most dreaded words I had to hear were "because I said so." It hit me hard sometimes. I really wanted to know why I had been barred from doing what I felt was harmless fun. It seemed arbitrary and an insult to my intelligence. Sometimes I went ahead and did it anyway, just to see if it was really so bad, and a lot of times I got hurt, just as predicted.

In reality, "because I said so" is just a way parents cut to the chase. For instance, "Don't run out in front of cars because I said so," actually means, "Don't run out in front of cars because you could die before this argument is over. I don't have time to show you the reasons, but the fact that I care if you die should be enough reason to trust me on this." In their haste to protect, they don't have time to lecture or educate, and instead opt to explain later, when there is time and maturity enough for their child to accept the wisdom behind their conclusions.

Before that maturity comes, any attempts to reason are pretty much a waste of breath with headstrong children, even though their parents make good points. At the root of it, children are completely lacking in foresight, and need someone else to see the consequences for them. Rules (if they are good ones) are not arbitrary, unfair, or insulting to the intelligence, but they might seem that way to someone who hasn't lived to see the consequences. Ironically, rules and laws are designed precisely to that purpose--to prevent others from seeing those consequences!

I bring this up because I've been hearing a lot of talk lately about how God's rules are arbitrary, unfair, and insulting to human intelligence. While it is true that God seems to say, "Do not sin...because I said so," in a few places in the Bible, it might be that God didn't want to waste precious time debating the ins and outs of sin while people were at that very moment reaping the consequences. It might also be that He has shared His reasons, but we aren't mature enough to accept them yet.

In one place in the Bible we read, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes," (James 4: 14 NIV). This means we have a very short time to get things right, to learn maturity, and to understand the cautions God has given to us. It just might be too short of a time for some. What a shame it is when someone reaches the end of their life, and they've wasted all their time arguing instead of moving forward and accomplishing things! How pitiful it is when what little they got done was overshadowed by their foolishness that brought about their end. That's why it's better not to waste so much time debating things, and learn maturity instead. Part of maturity is finding a good guide and imitating that leadership.

In another place in the Bible we are told, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death," (Proverbs 14: 12 NIV). This shows one good reason why we should trust God as our leader and guide. In this passage, God shows that He is mature and old enough to see the consequences of things, just like a parent, and that He used that knowledge to raise a warning about something really bad that was coming. Just like the parenting example I shared earlier, God cared that we might die from sin.

So when I still hear arguments like, "This hasn't caused harm to me yet," and "It feels fun and everyone else is getting away with it," they sound like childlike arguments. And yes, I've tried to use them myself, at times. That still doesn't invalidate the point that was originally made: Sin is bad for you. Don't do it. And what God means by that is, "I said don't do it because I care if you die. I have seen that sin starts out fun, but it leads to broken relationships, grief, misery, addiction, pain, disease, loneliness, darkness, hunger, poverty, loss of purpose, loss of meaning, loss of joy, loss of justice...and I have seen that death was the only logical end to such a mess, because such miserable, filthy, catastrophic consequences should be snuffed out completely for the sake of preserving what is good... and because I cared about what happens to you, and because I cared enough to defend what is good, that should be reason enough to listen to me."

So, before another round of debate begins, just stop and ask yourself why you've got to know "why," before you can let God save you. Don't stand there thinking too long, either--if God was in a hurry, maybe you ought to be!

My Life Is Based on a True Story

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:34:00 +0000

I found a funny "writerly" saying today: "My life is based on a true story." It has a double meaning for me, firstly because I got tired of living in fiction a long time ago, and secondly because I finally figured out what the true story was. I bet you're getting curious. I hope you'll read on.

First, let me explain what I mean by "living in fiction." The old saying, "Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction," kicks in when I try to talk about life. I have known people whose alliterative names could never make it into a book, because an editor would throw it out saying, "No one will believe such a person exists, or should be taken seriously." I have lived through unbelievably strange days, where it seemed to me that everything was happening backwards, and people's very thinking had been turned upside down. I have read accounts of people who suffered extreme torture and did incredible things to survive a war, and I believed their stories, even though it was almost too much to believe.

The difference between truth and fiction is that fiction has to strive for "believability," and so it is limited to what the audience will accept as feasible. Meanwhile, truth has no such limitations. It says what it is, and you can believe it (or be wrong). Real life, as it so happens, is one of those things that doesn't ask for your permission or acceptance. It just comes.

That is why I believe the "unbelievability" factor of the Gospel doesn't qualify the Bible for off-hand dismissal. There are many people who have disagreed with me. They keep saying that they don't want to hear what the Bible has to say, because some miracle or teaching just sounds too hard to accept, in their opinion. They want to treat it like fiction, and decide what is approaching normal, and what has to be thrown out. At the same time, most of those people will begrudgingly say that at least a few of the historical accounts in the Bible are true stories, and a few of the teachings contained therein are worthy of acceptance. They will believe what has been confirmed by archaeologists and teachers, but they hesitate before believing the source that first told them about it.

This is self-contradictory. If the Bible is a true account, it all deserves acceptance, even the unbelievable parts. Even those pieces that have yet to be empirically confirmed are also part of the story, no matter what they are. And so it comes down to something other than unbelievability; it has to do with what we want to believe, and what believing will require of us.

I haven't written this for the unmovable skeptics out there. They are, by definition, not open to convincing. However, if you are one of those people who once thought that your life was "based on a true story," but now you are entertaining some doubts as to whether you are on the right track, this is for you. Whether you are coming back to what you once heard, or are just setting out on a search for truth, I hope you will give Jesus a close examination, instead of settling for something that seems more believable along the way. Those things just might be fiction. Could you live with that? I couldn't.

I'm not just saying these things because I have to keep my reputation or justify the way I live. I left the burden of proof to Jesus. Here is what Jesus Christ said about Himself:

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. --John 14: 6 NIV

I have taken the position of a skeptic at times, and I have asked Jesus to follow through with His claims--and He has. Over and over again. So, today I'm challenging you. Have you grown tired of living in fiction? Are you ready to base your life on this true story?

Preparing Our Hearts for Disaster

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:48:00 +0000

The boy scout motto gets a lot of recitals in my house. "Be prepared," seems like good advice, but sometimes it's just impossible. How can you "be prepared" for a sudden death of a family member or friend? How can you "be prepared" for someone's seemingly random act of cruelty against you? Even in the case of natural disasters and financial crises, can you ever "be prepared" enough?

I really don't think there is a way to emotionally brace for impact when it comes to the sudden upsets life seems to have in store. They will hurt. There will be tears shed, and sleepless nights, and a dull ache that you carry around in your heart all day. I wish I could say there was a way to avoid pain, but I just haven't found it yet.

However, there is a way to "be prepared" to cope with pain, and recover from it. You have to prepare your heart in advance, so when disaster comes, at least you know how to survive. If you don't prepare, you won't have much to fall back on. You might even fumble around and cope with pain in ways that only deepen it. It is much better by far to have a few things set in your mind that don't change, no matter what comes.

Make Jesus Lord of your life. If you have chosen to follow Christ, it may seem strange to get this advice, but if you haven't made Jesus "Lord," that is, the boss, when you find yourself under crushing pressure, you will be tempted to handle things your own way instead of the godly way. The Bible says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death," (Proverbs 14: 12 NIV), but in another place, it says, "Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living," (Psalm 116: 7-9 NIV). Choose to follow Christ, no matter where He takes you, and you will make it through okay.
Choose to find true comfort in Christ. Whether it is food, friends and family, or vices, there are many ways to find comfort in this world, but when those things are suddenly ripped away, what then? Find comfort in Christ. Tell Him about your burdens and He will help you get through it, because He's not some kind of imaginary friend. He's real, He hears you, and He will take action, either dealing with the problems or counseling and comforting you as you go through them. The Bible says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you," (1 Peter 5:7 NIV), and in another place, "He [the Lord] will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure," (Isaiah 33: 6 NIV).
Entrust all you have to Christ. It is beyond your power to save and protect the people and things you love most, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you probably know it. That doesn't mean that relinquishing that sense of control and giving it up to God is going to be easy. However, it is what God requires of us. He wants us to let Him be God, while we settle down to being the sheep of His pasture. He wants us to trust Him, instead of only trusting ourselves. It may not make pain and loss easier to understand, but there is less pain in knowing that God is taking care of us, and everything we care about. I will remind you of Jesus' own words: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," (Matthew 6: 19-21 NIV).

This is, of course, has been a short list of how to "be prepared" for hard times. If you have anything more to add, you're welcome to do so in the comments section. Scripture references would be especially helpful as an encouragement for other readers. I look forward to hearing from you!

Three Things I Wish I Could Tell a New Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:08:00 +0000

This week, I have been reading No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green, which was written by his widow, Melody Green. The book covers the singer/songwriter's search for God, how he and Melody came to know Jesus (even though both of them were of Jewish heritage), and the development of his message and ministry in the Jesus Movement in California in the 70s and early 80s. The flow and content of the book explains a lot of the reasoning behind the decisions he made, to help those readers who might be struggling with the same issues. I haven't finished reading the book, but I recommend that you check it out (and I'm not getting paid for that endorsement).

This book seems especially written for those who are contemplating becoming a Christian, new Christians, and those who know them. I found myself thinking about what basic advice I would give to these readers. I cut it down to three main pieces of advice:

God's truth will outlast and outshine any lies we encounter.--The world is filled with lots of things that pass for truth (many of them very cleverly disguised), but they turn out to be hollow when we scrutinize them closely. Until then, those lies can fill us with doubts. If something has come along and made you doubt God, I encourage you to seek out the answers to your questions in the Bible, and don't give up until the question is settled (Matthew 7: 7-8; Psalm 34: 8). After all, the Bible was written to make known who God is and to record what He stands for, as it says repeatedly (for example, Isaiah 46: 9-10). I know from experience that the answers are there for anyone who wants to find them.

God's righteousness is greater than any stupidity you might encounter from His followers.--One of the biggest deterrents for new Christians and those considering becoming a Christian is the stupidity, cruelty, and hypocrisy of those claiming to be Jesus' followers. This is because (1) not everyone claiming to be a Christian really is, and (2) Even those who really are Christians can do things that are wrong from time to time. Good news! God sent His son, Jesus, to redeem and purify messed up people. Since He condemned their sin as something so bad that it was worthy of death and then paid that penalty on the cross, nothing He has said or done can be construed as an endorsement of sin, even among His followers. In fact, the only reason sin is tolerated at all is to allow time for a few more to find out about Him (Romans 9: 22-24). So if you see a so-called Christian behaving badly, it reflects back on their character, not on the God they claim to follow. Don't let them discourage you from finding out what God's character is really like (Romans 5: 6-8).

God's strength is greater than the worst troubles in life.--The last big obstacle to growing (or sometimes even beginning) faith in Christ is the trouble and struggles we all face. Jesus even talked about this in His explanation of the Parable of the Sower, in which He said, "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away," (Matthew 13: 20, 21 NIV). The "root" here symbolizes the strength of the hearer's convictions and faith and the value they put on their relationship with Jesus Christ. It is important to remember as a new Christian (and also important to know, as someone interested in Christianity) that this faith that we hold is in a real Savior who has redeemed His followers from death and will carry them through all the troubles of today. There is no reason to be afraid or lose hope. The Bible says that Christians can depend on God's supernatural strength to both help and defend them (Psalm 9: 9; Joshua 1: 9).

Parting questions: As a new Christian, curious seeker, or friend of a new Christian, what do you think are the biggest obstacles to faith? What questions do you need answered in order to have that deeper, stronger relationship with God?

3 Spiritual Lessons My Dog Taught Me

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:59:00 +0000

Last Monday, I had to say goodbye to my dog and long-time companion, Romeo, an Australian Shepherd. Although I found out that he had been suffering from a type of inoperable cancer called hemangiosarcoma for a long time, it came as a sudden shock for me--he hardly even let it be known that he was ill until the last few days were upon us. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that he's gone.

Romeo was a very unusual dog. I know a lot of people say that about their dogs, and they're probably right. My dog was very intelligent, like his breed, and for all intents and purposes, he could talk. He couldn't actually speak English, but he could communicate complex things like questions and opinions to me through body language. He used his special skills to teach and to train, and I believed God blessed my life through him. I think it's time to pass on a few lessons my dog taught me, direct from a Greater Master.

Lesson1: Knock Until You Get an Answer

A few incidents stand out in my memory. Some were "all dog," but quite a few were something more than that. For instance, when he was a new pup, everyone in the house would go outside at the same time to play with him, and frequently, all but one of us would go back inside, absentmindedly locking the door behind us. That last person would have to circle the house, knocking on windows until he or she had drawn enough attention to get the door opened. Romeo would follow that person, observing the whole scene closely. Then, one day, we heard a pounding at a back window, looked around the room, and realized that we were all inside! We rushed to the window to investigate, and there stood Romeo. He had one front paw on the brick windowsill, and he was batting the window with the other one. When he saw that we had all gathered, he tipped his head way back in a "come on out" gesture, and hopped down. We never taught him to do that, but for the rest of his life, when he needed us for something and we weren't outside, this was how he would let us know.

This was a good reminder for me of Jesus' words, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened," (Matthew 7: 7-8 NIV). I pray that, just like Romeo, you have a good enough relationship with your Master that you know that all you have to do is knock if you've got a question or a need, whether you're hungry or thirsty, or something alarming is going on in your life, or you're just feeling lonely. I also hope that you won't give up easily (Romeo didn't), or think that just because it's 3 a.m. He won't show up (Romeo didn't believe that, either). The fact is, God cares much more than people ever could, and He wants more than just "ownership" of us--He wants a relationship with us. He wants more than our obedience; He wants our love.

Lesson 2: Repent Quickly

I recall going out one morning to feed Romeo and finding him at the door with fresh blood smeared all over his snout. Romeo was in an exceptionally gleeful mood, and he kept bounding toward me and walking a few paces away, which was his signal to follow him. I did, with fear and trembling about what I was about to see, but when I got around the corner of the house, fear turned to shock and anger. He was coming back to me with a big, goofy grin on his face, dragging along a large section of metal rain guttering that had been installed just the night before. He had pulled it off the side of the house during the night and had cut his mouth on it! I was speechless, but the expression on my face must have told him everything he needed to know. I remember the grin melting off of his face, and he dropped the guttering and ran away from me--the only time he ever did, because I never hit him--and he followed me quietly, at a safe distance, as I picked up the guttering and took it to the garage. On the way, I remember looking at him over my shoulder and shouting, "I can't believe you did this!" It was the last time I ever shouted at my dog, too, because from that day on I remembered the look of pure, limpid-eyed shame on his face as he crept closer and licked my free hand. Who could stay angry after an apology like that?

I believe that animals are sinless creatures, and that they don't really know the difference between right and wrong. However, I feel Romeo modeled the kind of repentance that God wants from people. Romeo didn't know that he was doing something wrong, so he didn't try to hide from me like Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden. Similarly in contrast with humans, when he found out that I was displeased, he took full credit for his actions, stopped them immediately, and asked for my forgiveness and renewed friendship. If only humans could learn to do the same! God is quick to forgive those who repent, and it is written, "a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise," (Psalm 51: 17 NIV). I might add, God requires us to treat our fellow man with the same anxiousness to forgive (Mark 11: 25).

Lesson 3: Don't Let Pain Take Away Your Joy

I have heard of seizure dogs, or dogs that signaled to their masters that a heart attack or earthquake was coming. As far as I know, Romeo lacked those abilities, but we jokingly referred to him as the "bruise sniffing dog." If anyone got injured, he knew about it. He could locate bruises and lick them through layers of blue jeans, t-shirt, or socks, even if they were several days old and happened when he wasn't around. One time, I fell and twisted my ankle badly while playing with him. He acted deeply concerned, ran to my side, and lay down next to me for a few minutes. When the pain had started to subside, he jumped up and started energetically licking my face and swatting at me with his paws until I jumped to my feet. As soon as I was standing, he was ready to play some more.

The message was clear enough--life is too short and too wonderful to sit around moping for too long. Romeo was a joyful dog who rarely let anything get him down, even cancer. He welcomed sunshine, rain, and snow with equal enthusiasm, and so should we. Every day was created by God to be celebrated with Him (Psalm 96: 10-13). Pain comes and goes, but we should live our lives with the joy of the Lord, that is, a joy which is deeper than just happiness, filling even our grief with hope.

Our hope and joy is founded on our knowledge that one day, all the hurt and brokenness and ugliness of this world will be taken away when Jesus comes back to renew it and heal those who know Him. I don't know if Romeo will be there, but I do know his lessons will be. God is taking care of me. Romeo was another symbol of God's goodness. I know that it's going to be alright.

Getting Down to Business: Start with Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:32:00 +0000

I bought a "Word of the Day" calendar for the second year in a row, and I'm using it to learn more of the sort of "back story" of the English language. The word for this past weekend was "business." According to the calendar, it happens to come from the word "busyness," and it implies a sense of frenzy or anxiety about whatever you might call your "business."

I finished reading this little entry and looked over at my (very long) to-do list, and wondered why business had come to be so closely connected with anxiety and haste. I'm not against working, but I do think that sometimes we take our "business" to the extreme. Medical research is constantly announcing the health cost of too much or prolonged stress, and there are other costs, too, when our anxiety boils over into our marriages and relationships. In the end, anxiety can become one of the biggest obstacles we encounter as we strive to "get business done."

Anxiety doesn't always have to go hand in hand with "business." The Bible advises us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God," (Philippians 4:6 NIV). Note that it says "in every situation" we should be praying rather than getting anxious. That means that if someone is slow to get back to us and we're on a deadline, we should stop and pray, instead of hammering our fingernails against the desk as our blood pressure climbs. If spilled coffee in the break room makes us feel stressed out, we should stop and pray before breaking out the paper towels. If rude drivers on the commute make us feel like shouting, we should turn the radio down and pray for part of the drive.

I don't mean that we should recite some sort of self-soothing mantra to calm ourselves down. There is a better way to pray! If we look back at that verse in Philippians that I quoted earlier, it says that we should pray "with thanksgiving," and that we should "present [our] requests to God." These prayers are conversations or special requests asked in faith, not just words recited to an unfeeling universe. They are our needs presented to a real, living God who we have come to know and who assured us He is listening. Because we know we have been heard, and because we know that He is there, and that He does take action, we can be thankful and comforted.

Next time, when "business" is making us anxious, we should take a moment, however brief, and pray in faith, knowing that we have been heard and that God is going to answer--sometimes by changing the situation, and sometimes by helping us to overcome it. That even goes for those who have never prayed before. Go ahead and try it!

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5: 14, 15 NIV

My church has called for a week of prayer, and you're invited to join in. When you are praying for your own needs, please remember to also pray for missionaries and church leaders, friends and families, students and teachers, lawmakers and governments around the world, and any other needs you feel moved to mention. This might be a good way to establish the habit of intercessory prayer in the new year.

Goodbye, 2012, Hello, 2013!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:23:00 +0000

I've spent the last week gathering my thoughts about the past year, and trying to make plans for 2013. My thoughts lead me back to a prayer service I attended at the last changing of the year, where the pastor preached about his belief that 2012 would be a year of overcoming fear by the blood of Christ and in His strength. He reminded us all that the Bible tells us "do not fear" at least once for every day of the year, and that many of those times, God follows that command with a reminder that He is there for those who call on Him.

Well, I can now say, looking back, that those words on fear stuck with me through the year, and prompted me to get out of my comfort zone many times. In many ways, 2012 was a ground-breaking year for me. You didn't always hear about what I was going through on this blog, because frequently I was dealing with very personal decisions concerning my career and relationships. Sometimes they completely absorbed my attention to the point that I couldn't find other words to share here on the blog, and I had to just take a break and spend that time in prayer and reflection.

Looking forward across the unbroken snow that is 2013, I feel it's going to be a good year. I can't say what will come, but I know God will be with me, and "he who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 1: 6 NIV, personalization mine). The new year is going to be a time of completion, of finishing projects I've begun, of following through and turning plans into action, particularly the plans God has for my life. Believe me, I have a lot of things to get done this year.

Despite all of those plans, I still want to keep up the dream of this blog. I'd love to see it expanding, and I'd like to hear what God has put on my readers' hearts these days. I'd love to hear your comments, suggested topics for discussion, prayer requests, and more. I'd like to get to know you. I'd even be open to guest blogs from time to time, so please, by all means, drop me a line.

In the meantime, God bless!

Question: What does the new year mean to you?

Can't Cross Jesus Out of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 03:17:00 +0000

It has lately become a trend to abbreviate Christmas to "Xmas," particularly when dealing with limited space on billboards and in tweets, but this year I have seen it used with increasing significance as a way of "x-ing" out Jesus at Christmastime, as if He wasn't the central reason for the holiday in the first place. It's just another example of a modern movement to secularize this holiday.

I was thinking about that again today, and I realized that, even with all the efforts to remove Jesus, He just keeps coming back into conversation. Sometimes, I think the "x" even calls attention to His absence. This "x" appears to be yet another symptom of conviction and guilt in society, if the news of more shootings, violence, etc. hasn't been enough to convince you that the general populace has tried to forget God and His authority over our deeds.

Carrying that thought a little further, I remembered that the character "x" itself in English is itself a throwback to the Roman crucifixion cross. In essence, the symbol of the world's rejection of Jesus this season is the very one they used thousands of years ago at Passover time. That means, in essence, that the original Xmas (called Easter) falls in March this year. If that doesn't give you pause, I don't know what will.

But, you know, some tried to wipe out all traces of Christ back then, and they failed then, too.

I've been deeply saddened by all the news this week, and I pray for comfort for the families of the victims. I am reminded again that Jesus brings peace to the hearts of those who welcome Him in, so I have been praying for those who are searching for peace right now in the face of personal tragedies. I'm also praying that those who are thinking about dealing with their problems through violence will find the better way--Christ's way--which brings healing and restoration.

I hope those prayer warriors who are reading this blog will join me in that prayer this season, and if possible, Christians everywhere will take steps to remind people about the real significance of Christmas. In effect, we would be putting Christ back at the front like He should be. The world needs to know what we have found!

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (Luke 2: 14 NIV)

A Momentous Event

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Yesterday, I went gift shopping after dropping off a few packages at the post office. It seemed as if everyone in this town was out shopping or mailing something! I heard on the radio at one of my stops a local D.J. saying that this was what Christmas was all about--sparkly packages, smiles from children, spending time with family, and lots of good food. I thought about that a lot on the way home.

It seems like a good thought. I'd love for Christmas to be like a Norman Rockwell painting! Still, I couldn't help thinking that it was a rather bleak and cold idea for many people to hold onto at this chilly time of year. What about those who couldn't afford gifts or gift wrapping? What about those who can't have children? What about those who have terribly dysfunctional families (or have lost loved ones this year)? What if they have developed allergies to the classic Christmas dishes? I know a few people in every group, and I know their Christmas is still going to be good. Why?

Christmas is an event that God brought about (not a calendar day or a shopping mall), and it changed the world forever (and I don't mean that it changed the world economy). Wherever you are, and whatever your life looks like today, you can take part in Christmas. You can start today!

Christmas brought peace...

A Snow Angel

When the angels came to tell the shepherds about Jesus' birth, they announced it by saying, " Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests," (Luke 2:12 NIV). I see people quoting them every year, but their eyes glaze over as the words leave their mouths. Peace? How can that be? I've heard every year a few songs that ask Santa (or God) for world peace, but it's obvious that the world still doesn't understand it.

The peace the angels predicted is peace in the heart--a peace that means the end of hostilities between man and God. That peace spills over into our interactions with our fellow man, but it isn't always returned to us. Not everyone really wants peace with God, and they also don't care to have peace with us. So, when you think about what the angels said, remember to pray. Pray for peace between you and God (which comes with salvation and repentance), and between you and your fellow man (which comes from self-control and sacrificial obedience to God's plan). Also, pray for peace in everyone else's hearts by praying for their salvation, and for their growth in their relationship with God, which will lead them to be at peace with others.

Christmas brought rest...

With all of the work that has to be done every holiday, it seems like I hear a lot of complaints about people not getting to rest at Christmastime. Even so, the Bible says, "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his," (Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV). That "Sabbath rest" foreshadowed in the Hebrew ceremony of the Sabbath is the rest we find in Christ.

It means, more than anything, that we are not any longer slaves to sin, always driven to try to work off our sin with good works, always forced to seek approval from our masters and value from our work. Now, good works and the approval and value of others has some worth, but God's approval is all that we require, and God gives the ultimate value to our work. God has opened the doors to free us, should we choose to accept the gift He has offered.

By the way, there is no reason why we can't, as free Christians, stop and take a minute, or even a whole day, to enjoy the life God has given us. If life seems too complicated for that this month, maybe you should consider finding a way to simplify your life, or work in a few fun things along the way. If nothing else, slow down to look at the stars, or the snow, or the Christmas lights!

Christmas brought hope...

If you are in the middle of something that you can't escape, such as a grief period or an illness, it is good to know that Christmas in the end was an event that brought hope to the world. We hear bad news every day. The day of Jesus' birth was no different, right up until the time of Mary's labor, when she got the bad news that she was going to stay in the stable that night! The world didn't know it then, but Jesus brought a way out of the worst news, and the worst possible news of all is death.

No matter what the circumstance is, bad news is no longer the last word on your life, if you have Jesus in your heart. As it is written,

On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove His people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 25:7-8 NIV)

Choose hope, and look forward expectantly for your great reward in heaven. Celebrate what this Christmas means, and remember, Jesus is coming back soon!

Be Thankful for the Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:53:00 +0000

I've been thinking a lot this week about how it seems that most of life is a period of waiting between the start and the finish of something, whether it's the time between graduation and getting a job, or between the work and the paycheck, or between engagement and marriage, or even between diagnosis and the cure. It seems like we're always waiting for those God-ordained endings to the waiting period, and many times, we feel they can't come soon enough...but aren't the wait times also ordained by God?

Don't get me wrong; I believe that God is good, kind, and abundantly generous, but sometimes He teaches us things by delaying gratification, so to speak. I personally know that I wouldn't be the person that I am now if God had not worked on me over a period of years. Sometimes learning and growth doesn't happen without pressure.

This reminds me of a passage in first Peter, explaining why trials (and that can include long waits) are a good thing, that we should be thankful for--not take for granted! I'll leave you with that passage, since I'm short on time this evening. I hope it is something you need this week!

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1: 6-9 NIV)

Staying Grateful in the Consumerism Season

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 23:23:00 +0000

I recently read one of those "Snark Jokes" that circulate on Facebook and Pinterest, which read, "Only in America do people knock each other down to get the latest gadget just one day after giving thanks for what they already own." It makes you think, doesn't it? In contrast, the Bible says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain," (1Timothy 6: 6 NIV).

I was praying this weekend and felt God reminding me to stay grateful this season. It's so easy to fall victim to "want-itis" and to feel bad about budget constraints these days. Even if we've learned to be satisfied with less this year, the commercials, sales circulars, automated emails, and web ads (especially this weekend) can drive that peace far from us. It's important that we don't lose sight of the important things in the middle of "Consumerism Season."

God's History of Faithfulness

The Bible instructs us, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,'" (Hebrews 13: 5 NIV). We don't have to worry about where things are coming from, because God is going to take care of us--and that is a much better guarantee than a large bank account or a great storehouse of gold or even food.

If we've known God for awhile, we have seen this pattern over and over again in our lives. In those moments when we feel as if our dreams of the perfect Christmas are far from happening (or beyond our means) it is important to stop and remember how God has been faithful through the years, daily providing for us and sustaining us, and not just during the holidays.

See God's Provision

It's also a good exercise to look for God's provision in our lives today. What do you already have that is clearly a blessing from God? I'm not just talking about the latest iPhone, and I might not even be talking about friends and family members. There are tons of little things God blesses us with every day, even right now, from a nice view to indoor heating, plus, He provides our daily needs, which Jesus called "our daily bread."

I don't mean to be trite, but before we let retailers or our peers make us feel bad for not owning the "latest thing" we should count our blessings. After all, the latest thing is always going away, but God's provision in the present is constant. The Bible says, " I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread," (Psalm 37: 25 NIV).

Give Thanks in the Midst of Current Needs

The last thing we ought to do to stay grateful this season is also the hardest: praise God, even in the face of current needs. The Bible reminds us again and again that God is faithful, but when we are facing dire needs, such as serious financial struggles, it can be difficult to keep things in their proper perspective. That is where praise helps us.

I heard a sermon this weekend that touched upon this. The pastor spoke about the "garment of praise" in Isaiah 61: 3, contrasting the symbolism of fresh garments with the ancient Hebrew custom of tearing the outer garment at the neck to express extreme anguish or grief. The pastor noted that praising God brings healing in our spirit, symbolically replacing the "torn garment" of despair. Praise heals us from feelings of despair and grief at our current circumstances by focusing our eyes beyond that, on the God who is powerful enough to overcome obstacles, who is infinitely trustworthy, and who has brought us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God was there before the current circumstances (like holiday stress) arose, and He will still be there when they are gone. He intends to carry us through it all, as long as we stand with Him. Isn't that an awesome thought?

A Brief Word on Authority...

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:08:00 +0000

I tried to write a longer blog post for today, but after I wrote it, I felt it was too long and involved. It seemed to belong in a scholarly journal somewhere, not this blog. I might revise it and bring it out later, but for now, I needed to get back to the basics.

Stepping back from it all, I realized that the biggest point I was trying to make is that the basis of all authority comes from God, who in His very nature established a dividing line between sin and righteousness, truth and lie. This is not changed or dimmed by the authority He has given to earthly kings, lawmakers, teachers, parents, etc. Here's the text I'm studying (Romans 13: 1-5) :

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

When the Bible says that Christians are to submit to the governing authorities that God has established, it is not saying that those authorities should replace God as the final authority in our lives. It is also not suggesting that we respect the governing authorities to the extent that we reject God's authority. Rather, by continuing to do right, even if those in authority do what is wrong and allow others to do what is wrong, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of respect for authority--respecting the highest authority, which is God. In essence, we go beyond what is required by lesser authorities and stay well within the boundaries of their laws.

When this passage calls governing authorities "agents of [God's] wrath," it is not to say that the governing authorities always share God's feelings about sin; however, they are sometimes used by God to bring punishment on those who reject authority and law. This is not to say that lawmakers go around randomly punishing people without even knowing why they are doing it. We are talking about natural consequences, when doing things "our own way" eventually puts us at odds with those in authority over us. There is a reason why God called certain things wrong in the first place, and even the most lenient of lawmakers agree with God's ideas at some point along the line.

Do you have more to add? I'd love to hear your insights in the comments section.

An Argument for Limited Freedom and the Authority of Law

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:04:00 +0000

A short time ago, I saw some postings on a social media site concerning freedom and rights in the United States, and it deeply alarmed me. Since today is Veteran's Day (observed) in this country, it seemed like a good time to talk about this. It also furthers my mission with this blog to sort out bad arguments for the edification of others.

So, to begin, I'll summarize what was said. This individual postulated that freedom meant that no one had a right to tell him what to do, and that he should have a right to do whatever he wanted, especially with his own body. When another individual attempted to argue with him, he added that the law was, in effect, trying to impose another person's Christian values on him, which he didn't think was fair. (I would have given you a direct quote, but this seemed like a clearer and cleaner way to present what was said, without naming names or publishing profanity.)

So, this argument boils down to three main points of contention, if I understand correctly: (1) Does political freedom mean that we have a right to do whatever we want? (2) Are there circumstances where the law should not apply to us because the decision arguably does not affect others? and (3) Do law making bodies, have a right, in all fairness, to impose their values upon others under the law?

I will try to answer each of these subjects carefully and reasonably, although I cannot be unbiased. I welcome you to keep reading, even if you don't fully agree with me, and hope you will leave me a comment if I missed something important.

Freedom: Limited or Unlimited?

Is is true that freedom really means that we have a right to do whatever we want?

The Christian perspective says that God, being the Creator and Ruler of the Universe, has the right to demand an answer for everything we do. He also has a right to impose punishment on us when we do what He doesn't approve, and we do not have a choice but to accept this punishment (Psalm 11:4-7). That doesn't imply unlimited freedom on our part; it is only freedom within the boundaries He has set (Psalm 16:5,6).

God is the only one with the possibility of unlimited freedom, and yet He has imposed limits on Himself, the first being His decision to give each one of us free will. Although God could take over our bodies and force us to do things His way, He chose not to allow that as a possibility. Other similar limits include His rule against allowing unredeemed sin in His presence (Psalm 15), and accepting anything less serious than blood as atonement for sin (Genesis 4: 3-7). He takes these rules pretty seriously, because His strict adherence to them ultimately sent His Son to the cross as atonement for sin (Philippians 2: 6-8).

From the secular perspective, I could argue that one person's freedom cannot supersede or take away from the freedoms enjoyed by others, and thus the general population's freedom limits the freedoms of the individual. Thus, it should not be legal for one person to pilfer another person's belongings at will, because this infringes on the other individual's freedom to own and enjoy personal property (this definition creates a need for anti-theft laws). Similarly, one individual's enjoyment of personal property should not prevent another individual's enjoyment of his or her personal property (thus creating a need for zoning laws, noise ordinances, waste disposal and human burial laws, etc.). These situations tend to require a whole lot of specifics to close loopholes, however, which can weaken this argument over time.

To summarize, this point, I would have to say that the open-ended claim that freedom is unlimited is false and unsupportable. It must be limited, or it will lead to anarchy and the destruction of general freedom while allowing only a few individuals to experience something like freedom. How it is handled (from a Christian or secular perspective) may determine who winds up on top or how many enjoy this limited freedom.

Unlimited Freedom Where Others Are Not Affected

The next step in the argument is that sometimes, unlimited freedom does not affect others, and in those cases, the law should not intrude. I can answer this one from both the Biblical and the secular perspectives as well.

Christians do not limit the definition of sin to only things which affect others. Ultimately, sin is a personal transgression against laws that stand between the individual and God Himself (Psalm 51:4). That means that personal decisions, such as the decision to deny the Lordship of Christ (Psalm 2), are also defined as sins, which God can judge. By extension, the political viewpoint of Christianity says that individual sins are just as prosecutable as sins in public, through a purity of law that applies to the individual just as much as it does to the general public.

The secular arguments here draw upon circumstantial proofs, attempting to establish generalizable absolutes from these specific situations. It could be argued from the secular perspective that no decision affects only one individual, and therefore there will always be ramifications and changes in the course of history that will determine whether a thing should be allowed by law. Unfortunately, a lot of those proofs are conjecture and sometimes don't apply to all instances. There is also the argument that sometimes the law has the right to protect individuals from themselves. An example of this is the legal process of getting power of attorney over a very ill patient, such as an individual with Alzheimer's Disease. This would legally prevent a person from leaving a building, rejecting medication, or doing physical injury to himself or herself, even though these decisions would have affected only this one individual's body.

The Christian argument, in summary, is basically saying that the moral law imposed by God over all people individually and collectively is a model for political law, which should also see no boundaries or differences between prosecuting in macrocosm and prosecuting in microcosm. Meanwhile, the secular argument, which presumes there is no absolute standard, attempts to support its legal authority with anecdotes. Attempts to apply a judgement in microcosm to a general population this way requires many caveats and leaves loopholes, which can eventually erode the power of the law.

Law's Imposition of Values on Others

This leads to the third and final argument concerning freedom. Do lawmaking bodies have a right to impose their values on others through law? This is a tricky question. Any law is based on the preexisting assumption that there is a right and a wrong side of a thing, but the line between the two is different between Christian and secular thinkers.

The Christian teaching on this says that the authority of a government is given to it by God to enforce law and maintain order (Romans 13: 1-8), and it should be obeyed. In other words, the lawmaking bodies have a right to impose their values on the disobedient through the power vested in them by God, the ultimate and final judge. Furthermore, the definition of "disobedient" tends to closely parallel the definitions God has made.

Meanwhile, the secular argument draws legal authority to govern from "the people," that is the general or collective opinion of active voters or participants. This is often a shifting target, as population demographics change, and the needs and the beliefs of the public change with them. It boils down to the law speaking for either the loudest, the biggest, or the strongest at any given moment. It might even draw authority from one or a few individuals, especially those who control the resources. The law's authority to impose its beliefs can also be drawn from historical precedent, or pragmatic statements such as "the greatest good for the greatest number." All of these leave open the possibility that one population will be overlooked or wronged by another.

In summary, the authority of government can come from either absolute and unchanging sources (such as God and moral law), or from shifting or situational sources, such as popular opinion or majority rule. Either way, it is true that one group is opposing another group of individuals, and the winning side is imposing its will on the other.

Wrap Up: How Should We Define Freedom?

In essence, the difference between the two sides of this argument on every point all look back to the existence of God. The Christian position on freedom says that God limits freedom, and every limitation on freedom is a line He drew first. Meanwhile, the secular argument assumes there is no God, and that the highest authority is humankind; they write the rules, and can always change them if something new comes up.

I can go farther to say that where freedom is concerned, God has always been careful about drawing lines, but human beings tend to be much more impulsive and short-sighted. We cannot see far into the future, as God can, and so our laws tend to be as limited as we are, based on only a partial grasp of the big picture. If we remove God from the equation, freedom may seem freer at first, but it eventually leads to trouble in the long run. God, on the other hand, set out rules to protect freedom for all time, drawing lines that never cross each other, no matter how long we follow along them.

Talking about freedom in light of today's situation on the moral and political fronts, I see the necessity to call everyone to prayer and serious personal reflection. Without a revival, without a general as well as individual acceptance of God's authority, freedom is only a transient thing, and it may not last much longer in the United States. This comment in a forum was warning enough for me! As we celebrate the sacrifices of those who have died protecting freedom here in America, we should pray that their hard-won gift to us can continue. I think Twila Paris summed it up better than I can, in her song "What Did He Die For?" I'm including it here, at the end of my message.